A rise in death rates for a specific type of cancer, which predominantly affects younger women, is anticipated this year. Recent analysis of cancer-related fatalities in various European countries revealed that bowel cancer is poised to see an increase in the UK in 2026. This form of cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, claimed the life of presenter Dame Deborah James at the age of 40 in 2022, making it the third most prevalent cancer in the UK.
Experts utilized health and demographic data to forecast cancer mortality rates for the upcoming year, factoring in the aging population. While advancements in treatments have generally improved survival rates for most cancer types, bowel cancer stands out as the only one expected to experience a rise in death rates.
Professor Carlo La Vecchia from the University of Milan, who led the study, highlighted that overall cancer mortality rates remain positive. However, colorectal cancer deaths are on the rise in the UK and several northern European nations among individuals under 50, possibly due to factors like excess weight, obesity, and diabetes.
Bowel cancer is challenging to diagnose as it presents common symptoms and currently claims nearly 17,000 lives in the UK annually. Dame Deborah James, known as ‘Bowel Babe,’ was diagnosed with the disease at 35, and despite her efforts to raise awareness, it eventually metastasized throughout her body.
According to the findings published in the Annals of Oncology, age-standardized death rates for women from bowel cancer are expected to increase by 3.65%, while rates for men are projected to decline by 3.6%. Conversely, rates for other cancers such as stomach, pancreas, lung, prostate, bladder, and blood are expected to decrease.
In the EU, cancer mortality rates are generally decreasing, except for pancreatic cancer in women. A previous report by the Mirror highlighted a Lancet study showing a rise in bowel cancer diagnoses among young individuals, with England seeing a substantial annual increase in early-onset cases.
The latest study also forecasts a decrease in age-standardized cancer rates in the UK, with a projected 11.25% decline for men and a 7.26% decrease for women. Notably, lung cancer death rates among women under 64 are expected to decrease by 13.4%, while older women may experience a continued increase in lung cancer deaths due to historical smoking habits.
Co-researcher Professor Eva Negri from the University of Bologna estimated that around 7.3 million cancer deaths have been prevented in the EU since 1988, with 1.5 million in the UK, assuming death rates had remained constant since that year.
Professor La Vecchia emphasized the ongoing significance of tobacco control in preventing cancer deaths, particularly lung cancer. He stressed that smoking cessation remains crucial in lung cancer prevention and has a broader impact on reducing the risk of various other cancers.